Shiwaku

To that Japanese boy I grew up with

I hope you know how much I value each moment we spent together
Each swim
Each late night snack
Each small talk
Each stolen glances

I know you were nervous talking to me
I wouldn’t blame you, it’s been years since we uttered a sentence at each other
And I know how adolescents are
But thank you for trying your best to keep me company

You know that I’m happy about you finding your passion
The way you talked about it
I remember
How your eyes light up
And the excitement in your voice
How we both tried to keep the conversation going
You sharing a piece of your life with me
While I asked one question after another
I wasn’t joking when I told you that we’d play basketball when I got better at it but you laughed it off


I hope you won’t worry about your skin color anymore
But if you’re still insecure about it
I’ll tell you again like how I always do: it suits you well

Ken, I pray that you’d grow up to be the playful yet sweet boy that I met
Be that well-mannered type of guy who loves his family deeply
I pray that you’d mature in faith as well

Until then,
I’ll be a friend
And a sister
That’ll support you in your journey